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For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
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This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
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NEW YORK, December 30, 2004 --- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly announced Wednesday the City’s plans to host the annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square and encouraged New Yorkers to celebrate safely and responsibly.
The Mayor and Commissioner announced street closings in the Times Square area and gave important tips for attending the festivities, which will culminate with the traditional lowering of the New Year’s Eve Ball at midnight.
“Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Times Square is one of New York City’s most beloved traditions,” said Bloomberg. “We expect hundreds of thousands of visitors and New Yorkers to be in Times Square on Friday, and we are doing everything possible to ensure that everyone enjoys the festivities safely. I urge everyone to be aware of traffic restrictions, use public transportation and celebrate responsibly. I also would like to take this opportunity to wish all New Yorkers a safe and healthy 2005.”
As with all large-scale events in New York City, security and emergency preparations for New Year’s Eve in Times Square is a multi-agency effort. Over 30 different City, State and Federal agencies, as well as representatives from KeySpan and Con Ed, will be assisting the Police Department with preparations for the event.
By 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 31, Times Square will be closed to vehicle traffic. Attendees will be directed by Police Officers to gather in separate viewing sections. As one section fills up, people will be directed to the next viewing section. As the evening progresses, revelers will continue to fill Times Square along Broadway and Seventh Avenue moving uptown from 43rd Street to Central Park.- People will not be permitted to return to their area if they leave.
- Backpacks and bags are subject to search.
- Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the area.
- People should not abandon property at Police checkpoints.
- There will be access to all stores, theatres and restaurants but people should note the following traffic restrictions.
There will be No Parking in the following areas from Friday, December 31 at 12:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 1:- All cross-town streets from 34th to 57th Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenue;
- West side of Sixth Avenue, from 34th to 59th Streets;
- East side of Eighth Avenue from 34th to 57th Streets;
- 48th Street between Fifth and Ninth Avenues.
At approximately 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, the following streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic:- Seventh Avenue, from 42nd to 59th Streets;
- Broadway, from 42nd to 59th Streets;
- 43rd to 47th Streets, from Sixth to Eighth Avenue.
After 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 31, the remainder of the traffic closures will be instituted as crowd conditions warrant:- All cross-town streets from 37th to 42nd Streets - Sixth to Eighth Avenues;
- All cross-town streets from 49th to 59th Streets - Sixth to Eighth Avenues;
- 48th Street, from Fifth to Ninth Avenues;
- Cross-town access for emergency vehicles will be available on 57th and 59th Streets.
People are advised to use public transportation. In the event that they must bring a vehicle into Manhattan, on street parking will be extremely limited in the Midtown area. People should avoid all cross-town streets from 34th to 59th Streets, as well as Sixth and Eighth Avenues. Suggested alternatives for cross-town traffic include 23rd Street and the Central Park Transverse Roads at 65th and 66th Streets.
As it does every year, the NYPD will continue its drunk driving enforcement on New Year’s Eve through DWI patrols and checkpoints throughout the City.
To date, the NYPD has made 41 percent more drunk driving-related arrests this year than in 2003, and as part the DWI Forfeiture Initiative, has also seized 2,074 vehicles from drunk drivers so far in 2004 - a 21 percent increase from last year. This has helped lead to a 31 percent decline in drunk-driving fatalities in our City this year, and helped us drive down the number of overall traffic fatalities to 287 so far in 2004 - the lowest year-end number of overall traffic fatalities since 1910.
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NEW YORK, December 30, 2004 --- Dr. Linda R. Pelayo was unanimously selected as 2005 Grand Marshal of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) in celebration here of the 107th anniversary commeration of the declaration of Philippine independence.
The selection was made by PIDCI’s board of directors during a special meeting Monday night. PIDCI Grand Marshal is the most coveted position of honor on the East Coast, the organization said.
After the unanimous vote, Pelayo was informed by Lolita Compas, chairperson of the PIDCI Grand Marshal Search and Nominating Committee, on telephone.
Pelayo was congratulated by PIDCI President Nimia L. Lacebal, and by other members of the organization.
Aside from being a dentist, Pelayo is described as a prolific writer. She is a columnist in The Filipino Reporter, and wife of the paper’s publisher, Bert Pelayo.
Now on its 16th year, the annual New York’s commemoration is proudly hailed by many Filipinos as the largest Philippine independence celebration abroad.
This year, the traditional independence parade in Manhattan is scheduled on the first Sunday of June. There will be street fairs and an afternoon cultural festival. Other celebratory events include the coronation of the 2005 Diwa Ng Kalayaan (Spirit of Independence) on April 30, and the Independence Ball on June 11.
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JERSEY CITY, December 30, 2004 --- Mayor Jerramiah Healy will reach out to local Indian and Sri Lankan community leaders and healthcare workers to discuss Jersey City’s efforts in light of the recent massive earthquake-triggered tsunami that devastated the southern coast of Asian and reaching as far as East Africa.
On Dec. 30, Heally will meet with community leaders at 10:30 a.m. at City Hall. It will be announced there to the public of all the avenues available to Jersey City residents who wish to support the relief effort.
Currently the most pressing needs for the countries affected by tsunami are purified water and medical supplies to prevent the spread of disease.
Jersey City has a thriving Asian population that is greatly affected by this tragedy. According to the 2000 Census, 16 percent of Jersey City’s population is comprised of Asians.
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